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Depression and Sleep Disorders

All of us feel blue or sad from time to time. However, when these feelings intensify into depression, our sleep can be affected.

Depression Diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose depression based on symptoms that might include:

changes in sleeping patterns
difficulty thinking
feelings of sadness or worthlessness
lack of energy
suicidal thoughts
weight loss or weight gain due to changes in appetite.

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms and have been experiencing them for more than a couple of weeks, contact your physician. You may be suffering from depression.

If you are having thoughts about committing suicide, contact your physician immediately. You might also consider contacting a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline.

Depression and Sleep Disorders

One of the key signs of depression is insomnia, or the inability to sleep. Insomnia, no matter what the cause, can lead to other problems, such as the inability to concentrate and impairment of the decision-making process.

In addition, people who are not sleeping are likely to be thinking about their problems or about how badly they are feeling, adding to their overall depression.

Too Much Sleep and Depression

A small percentage of people who are depressed, roughly about 15 percent, will sleep too much rather than too little.

Depression and Sleep Apnea

Researchers have found a relationship between depression and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times over the course of a night. Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure and the same types of problems associated with insomnia, including being tired and having difficulty making decisions.

Unfortunately, researchers are not yet sure whether depression causes sleep apnea or sleep apnea causes depression.

Causes of Depression

Causes of depression can include:

alcohol abuse
changes in personal life
chemical imbalances in the brain
diet
drug abuse
genetics/family history
medications
physical or mental heath problems
stress.

Treating Depression and Sleep Disorders

Depression can be treated by psychotherapy, medications or a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Psychotherapy is used to help you learn better coping techniques to prevent depression in the future. In addition, psychotherapy can help you understand any problems that you may be having with interpersonal relationships and can help you learn how to change any negative thought processes that you may be experiencing.

Medications are also used in some cases to ease the symptoms of depression. Your physician might prescribe:

antidepressants
hypnotics.

Antidepressants can help you sleep while improving your mood. Hypnotics help you sleep. If your doctor prescribes medication for mental health, it is extremely important that you follow his instructions regarding usage and dosage.

In addition, your doctor will recommend that you get regular exercise, avoid alcohol and caffeine and learn relaxation techniques.

Millions of people experience depression and insomnia. If you think that you are among these people, contact your physician right away. Early diagnosis can lead to more effective and lasting treatment.

Resources

Brandt, Michele L. (2003). Study finds link between sleep apnea, depression. Retrieved January 8, 2008, from the Stanford Report Web site: http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2003/november5/
depression.html.

Buysse, Daniel MD (2001). Ask the Sleep Expert: Sleep and Depression. Retrieved January 8, 2008, from the National Sleep Foundation Web site: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2422615/
k.60EE/Sleep_and_Depression.htm.

The Cleveland Clinic (n.d.) Sleep and Depression. Retrieved January 8, 2008, from the ClevelandClinic.org Web site: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3700/
3721.asp?index=12124.

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